HOPKINTON – Residents on Chamberlain Street are hoping the street will be designated as a scenic road.

Several residents petitioned to designate the street under the town’s scenic road bylaw at this year’s Town Meeting on May 5.

"We see most of these by resident petition, but a board can initiate it as well," said Elaine Lazarus, planning director.

A public hearing before the Planning Board is scheduled to take place Monday at 7:30 p.m.

"Chamberlain Street represents much of what many of us love about Hopkinton with its many stonewalls, mature trees and general scenic beauty," wrote resident Gary Trendel, representing four family families on the street.

He said it offers a "picturesque" setting so close to downtown.

"We would like to preserve its character and the part of Hopkinton’s heritage that it represents, and we ask the Planning Board to support our proposal that it be designated as a scenic roadway," he wrote.

There are 17 designated scenic roads in town. The purpose of the bylaw focuses on trees and stonewalls within the roads' right of way, Lazarus said.

The bylaw covers the removal of trees over 3-inches in diameter or stonewalls within the road right of way, not private land.

"The bylaw is a tool that we use to maintain that scenic character by protecting the trees and stonewalls, and making sure that any proposed alterations to them are reviewed and permitted in accordance with the criteria in the bylaw," according to the town website.

It does not prohibit changes to tree or stonewalls but sets up a review and permitting process.